The Story of BB the Great Dane

please let me out to play, BB 29 wks old

BB looks so sad in his pen here, poor little guy. His staples were supposed to come out yesterday, but the vet can’t see him until Monday. But at least he doesn’t have to stay in his pen nearly as much until then! He’s been following Mom around, and playing with his toys some too, so he isn’t a total prisoner. He has been kept much quieter than his puppy energy can stand though.

So today I plan on taking the boy out for a teeny tiny romp in the field.

Emily came yesterday morning, since my brother has been off work while the company computers are down. That means a 3 day weekend with a 2 year old. My hard work with Beebs and Em is paying off: he was loose while she was in the room and he did very well at not being reactive to her. She just won’t leave his toys alone, though, and when she got into the toy box while he was there, he bonked her with his head when he stood up.

Em bounced on her bottom and kinda sat there, and BB went off with his toy. Not good manners, but my brother just doesn’t get the idea that Beebs isn’t gentle like Kenai. He’s been cooped up for a week, which makes it worse. So you can’t just turn him loose with a two year old while you sit your butt on the couch. He meant no harm, that’s just BB: bump, lean, wiggle and swat. Now later when Em sat down on the floor, BB came over and lay down near her when he was called. He did fine because an adult was right there overseeing the play.

With some reminding, Em is learning not to run at him, and he doesn’t react. If he is in his pen or on the couch, he still barks when she comes. He must feel either trapped or barking because he doesn’t want to be ignored. If he can walk up to her, he’s fine. So the toots has come a long way!

Beebs has gotten a reprieve from the planned pool dip, since his staples aren’t out yet. And Mom hasn’t done a thing all week with his physical therapy. I’ve been really sick, so there was no getting to it myself. She has less and less control of him almost every day, too. She can’t get him to come when she calls, let go of a toy he shouldn’t have, stay on the bed while we eat…she can’t even get him to go to bed at night.

So I’ve come downstairs with Kenai for his morning piddle and meal twice this week, to find that I have to split up the ruckus and seperate them before my eyes are focusing. While she’s in bed asleep. He doesn’t mind her because he doesn’t respect her, and she makes no effort to change that. It’s going to become a big problem if BB gets in his head that he can be top dog and rule the pack. He’s started marking…

I don’t understand my mother. She can sit there and watch the dog whisperer show, but not get the idea that she cannot just get frustrated and give up after 3 seconds. If he doesn’t get up the moment she says, she gets mad and walks away. BB wins the battle. Every time. It’s like she’s abandoned his management to me, she’ll just babysit when I’m not there.

I don’t understand, but I do know that with 2 unnuetered males in the house, a lack of control of one can lead to some serious fights. Sick or not, I’m going to have to ramp up and try to solve the problems with the 2 boys myself. With a passive, frustrated, weak energy from Mom. Does the Dog Whisperer take on charity cases?

So that’s our good news, and the not so good news. The Beebster is doing well for the most part, and is putting his weight back on nicely. His coat is still a bit dandruffy and dull, though it’s improving. I can’t get Mom to brush him and use the conditioning wipes, which would correct this quickly.

I’ll try to get more posts up, not realizing it had been so long. The past couple weeks have been downright punishing. Maybe this next one will be better.